Food banking for improved nutrition of HIV+ Children; Emerging evidence from quality improvement teams in regions with high food insecurity in Kenya

Background An estimated 500,000 orphans and vulnerable children live in Central and Eastern Kenya. Majority of them are orphaned by HIV/AIDS. A total of 140,000 (28%) are currently supported on the USAID funded APHIAplus KAMILI project. Despite the many partners intervention in food security and nutrition, children's nutrition status was poor. Amref Health Africa in Kenya, formed Community Quality Improvement Teams to address nutrition challenges for HIV+ children through food banking. Two assessments were conducted before and after interventions and results compared to assess the role of food banking in improving nutrition of HIV+ children.

Methods: This study was conducted in Kiambu County, Kenya covering 103 children living with HIV. The study was pre and post-test design lasting 12 months (Oct 2013 to September 2014). The Child Status Index (CSI) and Middle Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tools were used in data collection at households. The paired T-test and Wilcoxon test were applied for analysing MUAC and CSI scores respectively.

Results The results showed that before food banking, majority children’s nutrition statuses were rated as bad with CSI (Median (IQR) score 2(2-1) and improved to fair status with CSI (Median (IQR) 3(4-3) after intervention (p=<0.001) while MUAC (Mean (SD) was 5.6(2.6) before the intervention and improved to 7.2(2.8) after food banking (p=<0.001).

Conclusions Community food banking is a sustainable way of improving the access and quality of nutrition for the HIV+ children. Additionally, community quality improvement teams are imperative mechanisms for strengthening communities’ potential and collaboration in HIV care and support through participatory and collective roles.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:Assess and demonstrate the roles of local community food banking in improving the nutrition of orphans and vulnerable children living with HIV.

Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently the regional advisor incharge of implementing Orphans and Vulnerable Children project within Kiambu county, Kenya where the study was conducted.I have been the focal person for quality improvement activities through which communities have formed Quality improvement teams to generate innovative ideas like the food banking towards the care of children living with HIV. It is part of my interest to share these success and learn from others how to improve Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.